Right, I wouldn't touch even a one page layout for $5. If it takes you an hour charge your hourly rate because you are basically building your client a custom page not really just filling in a template. Seems like you are really undervaluing your service as a designer Maybe that's the price your market supports...regardless good luck grabbing a few jobs.

100% agree with @jdesign. Everyone's market is different, but the only thing I would consider giving out for $5 is a very simple layout that only took a few minutes to build, and I wouldn't be customizing any content or structure. It's just not worth it to me, and not for my market. Going rates around me for even a small landing page are close to $1000, let alone a several page website. To each their own though!

I completely get where you are coming from because I started my own business a few years back. Pricing has to be among the top most challenging business decisions to make. You want business so you are tempted to price towards the low end but you know what you are doing is worth much more. In my market there were people advertising fully custom (3-5 pages plus blog setup) responsive sites for $500 and I knew that couldn't match that and make a living much less grow my business and skills. However, I saw that there seemed to be a lot of undisclosed or very hidden pricing add-ons that actually made sites run closer to $5000 for an actual custom design - the $500 option was only changing colors and content of a 3 page layout.

Personally, I like to be very transparent with my clients, give them a quality site that suits where they are in their business now – I don't believe in setting up and charging for every bell and whistle if the business owner will really only use on or two tools. I did get lucky, because a couple of calls came in from businesses that had sites built by competitors and they weren't happy with either the result or pricing which was really eye opening. I went back to the drawing board on pricing, looked closely at my local and regional market and came up with rates based on the complexity of the work and a base rate that I use for very basic hourly work. I started winning better clients (ones that understand value of service), am able to produce better work, the clients are seeing positive results and I'm really able to foster the client relationships and have earned repeat business and referrals.

I'm still growing my business so it's not like I have hundreds of clients but I do manage at least one new site a month and usually two possible three (depending on size/complexity). I'm thankful for the business and so far, I'm pretty happy with the results.

All unsolicited advice but there it is Good luck making those decisions!

I'm in agreement with everyone here. It seems like you are selling yourself short.

Always try and price to the value of what you're providing (which isn't easy).A higher price for a better service will attract better clients. The clients that understand your value are who you want, not bargain hunters.